“Meet the Makers Expo” in Strathcona on June 13

Blake Hanacek roasting coffee beans at AGRO Coffee Roasting

The Strathcona Business Improvement Association (SBIA) has announced they will be hosting a “Meet the Makers Expo” on Saturday, June 13th from 11AM-3PM at MakerLabs at 780 East Cordova. The expo will feature innovators, makers, and entrepreneurs from over a dozen Strathcona businesses including restaurants, cafes, breweries, and locally made goods and services. The community-based event will give the public a chance to discover the area’s thriving businesses, while showcasing the future vision for East Hastings and giving the public and community a voice in the change.

This must-see event invites the public to learn about Strathcona’s businesses, a chance to meet the makers, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and be a part of the future vision for East Hastings. Strathcona has been home to many successful businesses like Yolk’s, Sunrise Soya Foods, Hootsuite, and Aritzia, and continues to be a hub for many independent mixed-use, manufacturing and retail businesses that continue to thrive. Located between Clark, Venables Street, and Gore Avenue, Strathcona provides an authentic, community oriented experience for visitors, businesses & the public.

The “Meet the Makers Expo” will be hosted at MakersLabs with 17 Strathcona businesses in the sectors of restaurants, cafes, breweries, and locally made goods and services. The expo will include interactive booths, workshops, demonstrations and complimentary samples of the products that are ‘Made in Strathcona’. Bob Rennie, the leading real estate marketer in Vancouver and the marketer behind Strathcona Village (a mixed use development on East Hastings) will be facilitating a panel discussion with four Strathcona businesses to discuss the SBIA’s plans to revitalize East Hastings. During the discussion, stakeholders will weigh in on their personal connection to Strathcona and what they hope to see implemented as part of the revitalization of East Hastings.

“The SBIA is very excited to be hosting the “Meet the Makers Expo” this year,” states Joji Kumagai, Executive Director of the Strathcona Business Improvement Association. “The event will be a great opportunity for the public to connect with businesses in Strathcona, enjoy food and demonstrations, participate in a game of urban design and engage in dialogue about the revitalisation of East Hastings. We want the community have a voice in the change and, at the same time, share innovation and celebrate local, independent talent. “

At the event, the public will have the opportunity to learn about the community stakeholder’s vision for the revitalization of the East Hastings area, and be part of the change. From 11AM-3PM, the public will meet the founders behind the businesses, ask questions, watch demonstrations and offer input as to what they would like to see. The SBIA plans to gather input and feedback from the community that attends to create a revitalized neighbourhood in Strathcona.

The following businesses will be participating in the Meet the Makers Expo: